SHOP TILL YOU DROP!

So, the Dubai Shopping Festival started on Jan 20th. And when I say "festival" I mean this is a huge retail event across Dubai. Purportedly, people fly in from around the world for this event. Not because everything is on sale mind you. Nope. It's when they unveil the biggest and the bestest. The latest and the greatest. The newest and the coolest.

There were fireworks all over Dubai the first night and here and there throughout the month so far. There's all kinds of deals going on in almost every store. Catwalks are springing up in the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates for fashion shows in the mall. Performances abound, from jugglers and musicians (representing every type of musical taste) to Shaolin monks whom I saw performing at Mirdif City Center last night, there's no limit to the festive goings on. Yes, Shaolin monks. Complete with dragon dance, holding a guy up in then air poised on spears, and a little nine year old shaven headed boy who could turn himself into a tiny pretzel. So cute if he was chocolate covered I could have eaten him ;)

This event has been going on for a few years now, and it's much anticipated by most everyone because THE pastime here is Shopping. That's right. Shopping. With a capital "S". Even when stuff isn't being touted for the first time or going on sale, entire families pour into the malls every evening and are there sometimes until midnight. And I mean everyone, from the smallest baby to the oldest grandmother. Shopping is the Emirati national pastime. And during DSF, as it's called, the malls and stores are even more crowded. Everyone wants the newest I-whatever, the latest style in leopard print leggings, the newest Jimmy Choo dress, and the hottest handbags. There are tons of giveaways, too. Every mall every weekend gives away at least one large, expensive car. Trips to Paris for fashion shows (I entered that one, why not), TV's, large amounts of money, it's all there if you buy a ticket or get one with your purchase and drop it in the box with your name and mobile number.

The interesting thing is, people DO win these things. Lots of people. Think about it. There are tons of contests going on. And Dubai is smaller than Rhode Island. The chances of winning here are a lot greater than say for the $500 radio giveaway at home. So, when I get a chance to enter something, I do. Why the heck not if I actually stand a chance of winning?

I am rather enjoying it. It's actually rather fun to look at the newest styles, even though I am sticking to the clearance racks of last year's "not cool anymore" clothes. It's fun to hit the racks, maybe find something interesting and tasty to nosh, and then take a stroll down the mall looking at the windows while sipping a latte.

Girly in the extreme?

Oh, yes.

Does it make me less of a geeky, nerdy, kayaking, steampunking pirate?

Heck no!

Just better dressed, is all ;)